Meet Our Team

Seth Patrick

Executive Director

Hello! Seth oversees the educational integrity of our programs and managing/training our team of tutors in Gainesville. Seth brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan of Gainesville. He graduated from Manchester University in Indiana. When Seth isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing golf or doing mathematics. Furthermore, Seth oversees all of the academic programs in our center and works with the Center Director to prepare progress reports to present to families each month. Seth also supervises our instruction floor and helps our students grow in order to achieve their goals! He is very dedicated to his position and is ready to serve you in any way that he can. Welcome to the Sylvan Family!!!

Theresa Kane

Teacher

Theresa has worked for Sylvan for 6 months and uses her expertise in special education to help students achieve their goals.  She earned her degree from Marymount University in Education.  She has spent 25 years in the education field.  She enjoys working with all the students at Sylvan and truly loves teaching them to read.  When you can’t find Mrs. Theresa at Sylvan she could be boating, swimming, gardening, or reading.

Brandon Wiles

Teacher

Hello, my name is Dr. Brandon Wiles. I am an Upper Level Mathematics and English instructor for Sylvan Learning Center. I have worked for multiple Sylvan’s over the past few years. I teach Math Essentials, Academic Reading, Writing, SAT/ACT College Prep, and Homework Support. I love working with all levels of students, but working with the SAT/ACT students and Upper Level Math/Physics homework support students is my greatest passion. In my free time you will find me reading my Astro Physics books, working on stuff for the college classes I teach or attending my Capoeira classes!

Nancy Schaefer

Teacher

Nancy has taught at Sylvan for 2 years and uses her knowledge of reading and grammar to help students accomplish their goals.  She received her degree from Indiana University and spent 15 years in education.  She loves helping students understand concepts and gain the skills they will use for the rest of their lives.  Her greatest accomplishment is the ability to teach English to students whose first language is not English.  When Mrs. Nancy is not at her table in Sylvan she is reading, sewing, or swimming.

Azaria Chamorro

Teacher

Azaria(AJ) has been with Sylvan for 5 years and uses her vast knowledge of upper level math, history/civics, writing, and test prep to help students achieve all of their goals academically.  She earned her degree in Classical Studies from the University of Florida.  She has spent the last 5 years in education and has enjoyed watching students grow and excel, especially regarding their academic confidence.  Her biggest accomplishment has been making students who “hate”  math and writing, “love it”.  She is I proficient in Latin as well.   My driving passions are education and customer service. I firmly believe that every student requires a unique approach and a caring environment to successfully learn.  When Ms. AJ isn’t teaching at Sylvan she may be found writing, working out, playing games on her PC with friends, or listening to music.

Sebastian Newell

Teacher

Sebastian has taught at Sylvan for 4 months.  He teaches all ages and curriculum.  He uses his expertise in Mathematics/Standardized Testing to help students advance in their education.  His greatest accomplishment was attending the University of Florida where he earned his degree in Data Science and was a National Merit Scholar.  He enjoys helping students achieve their academic goals.  When Mr. Sebastian isn’t helping students at Sylvan, he loves to draw and make/listen to music.

Jacob Saperstein

Teacher

Jacob has been with Sylvan for 4 months and helps students with math and science, which are his areas of expertise.  He earned his degree from Sante Fe College in 2022 and has spent 2 years educating students.  He enjoys working with SAT/ACT students and making all his students laugh while they are learning.  He became CRLA certified which was a big accomplishment.  When Mr. Jacob isn’t making students laugh while learning, he likes to read Jon Krakauer, hit the weights, coach wrestling, and watch movies at Celebration Pointe.

Illumi Chavez

Teacher

Illumi has worked at Sylvan for 3 months and uses his expertise in math to help students achieve their academic goals.  He has been in the education field for 1 1/2 years and enjoys the opportunity to teach students in unique ways.  He considers helping students reach their highest academic potential, his biggest accomplishment.  When Mr. Illumi isn’t helping students, you can find him backpacking, reading fiction books, or playing video games.

Bettina Capuano

Teacher

Bettina has recently joined our Sylvan family.  She earned her degree in Mathematics from the University of South Florida.  She has been teaching for 41 years and has used her expertise in math to help students reach their potential. She enjoys working with children of all ages at Sylvan.  Her biggest accomplishment is “learning to integrate changing technology and teaching” methods to improve student learning and comprehension.  Mrs. Bettina loves to read and swim when she isn’t at Sylvan helping students reach their goals in education.

Tabitha Adair

Director of Operations

Tabitha is the smiling and caring face that you will see when you walk in the door at Sylvan.  She is a valuable part of the Sylvan team.  When it comes to testing students, getting them enrolled in their specialized programs, and just making sure the students are enjoying their time at Sylvan while they achieve their academic goals, this is Ms. Tabitha’s area of expertise.  She truly enjoys every one of her parents and loves every student that comes through the door.  She has learned to interact and help students of all ages, levels, and unique disabilities, which is her biggest accomplishment.  Ms. Tabitha is a special person who loves spending time with every student at Sylvan.

Emma Antonik

Teacher

Emma has taught at Sylvan for 2 1/2 years.  She uses her expertise in math to help students of all ages.  She enjoys watching the excitement students have when they accomplish their goals and learn new things.  Emma is studying Nursing at the University of Florida.  She feels building relationships with students and seeing how much they grow over the course of their programs is her biggest accomplishment.   When Ms. Emma isn’t at her table at Sylvan she loves watching sports, going to the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, or just grabbing coffee with friends.

Cali Love

Teacher

Cali has taught at Sylvan for 1 year and helps students with her expert knowledge of science and English.  She earned her degree from Georgetown University in Neurobiology and English.  She has spent 3 years in the education field.  She enjoys seeing the students progress in their education and watching them recognize that progression.  Her biggest accomplishment is getting kids excited about learning.  When Ms. Cali isn’t teaching at Sylvan she likes to read a new book or play pick-up soccer.

Tracy Skinner

Executive Assistant

Tracy has been with Sylvan for 11 months.  She earned her degree in Political Science from the University of South Florida.   She has spent 22 years in the education field.  She enjoys helping students of all ages in their educational journey.  When Mrs. Tracy isn’t found at Sylvan, she will be traveling, hanging with friends and family, or trying out the newest roller coaster.